Hawthorn Arts Centre venue tour

Architect John Beswicke’s spectacular Second-Empire-style Town Hall was completed in 1889 and opened with a Grand Ball. Built in a Renaissance style, it was described as a two-storey brick and stucco building with a 100 ft (30.48 m) tower. It was home to municipal offices, post office, fire station, police station and courthouse.

Over time the building has evolved with the community, with additions such as the clock tower, balcony, marble stairs, entrance foyer and stunning art-deco chandeliers added to make it one of Melbourne’s most iconic buildings.

In 2013 the town hall was reimagined and redeveloped into the Hawthorn Arts Centre comprising of:

• a gallery
• performance spaces
• Boroondara’s 360 Youth Services
• function rooms
• artist studios.

It is a beautiful example of perfectly blended 19th and 20th-century architecture.

See for yourself how this sympathetic and innovative redevelopment has created a stunning venue for delivering arts and youth programs for the local community and beyond.